Changing lenses / effect on rangefinder

[Want-a-leica]

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I remember reading somewhere that frequently changing lenses on a Leica M could theoretically contribute to the rangefinder slowly going out of alignment.

I currently only have one lens, so it's not an issue at the moment, but as I was considering a second lens, I was wondering if there's any definitive proof that this statement is true (or is not).

Thanks to anyone who can offer experience-based advice.

 

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[Alberti]

I have a leica. First 30 years an M2 bought from a wedding photographer. Very much used.  Then M8 and so on. It is an addiction, I’m afraid, but then I use it a lot.

I often change lenses. Say several times per hour. 35, 50 and 90 and back again.
Something like 40% 35mm, 30% 50, 15% 90, some wideangle for the rest. 
On my M8 I did it more than on the M240 - easier to make a crop now? 

My camera never has been out of alignment and is superbly sharp. Also on 1.4 lenses. 
Last week I borrowed a 135. All photo’s were good, save the ones with aslow shutter speed.

Nevertheless, it might be good to give the camera a service every 5-7 years, or 30.000 shots as mileage.

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Alberti

[pgk]

3 hours ago, Want-a-leica said:

I remember reading somewhere that frequently changing lenses on a Leica M could theoretically contribute to the rangefinder slowly going out of alignment.

Its nonsense. Using anything will finally mean that it needs a service - eventually - but there are many Leica rangefinder cameras which have not been serviced for decades which still function fine. If you read about it then its because someone decided that they didn't have enough to worry about and thought up a potential concern to fill the gap. I've been using Leica M cameras on and off for 40+ years and never had a rangefinder out of alignment - and as they are interchangable lens cameras I use them as such.

[jaapv]

3 hours ago, Want-a-leica said:

I remember reading somewhere that frequently changing lenses on a Leica M could theoretically contribute to the rangefinder slowly going out of alignment.

Complete nonsense.

[250swb]

It's pure rubbish, no damage or significant wear is done by changing lenses. I don't know what you've been reading but considering the whole Leica M system is built around lenses it should seem extremely unlikely to anybody that lenses are detrimental....

You will also come across various lens changing fetishes that take hold. Such as changing lenses causes dust inside the camera, well not changing lenses dust will still appear so 'deal with it'. Or, 'I always change lenses inside a plastic bag', or 'I always change lenses with the camera facing downwards', or even better in the elitist imagination 'I only ever use one lens (because I am the reincarnation of Henri Cartier Bresson)'. There is often some original nugget of common sense in most Leica myths, but it's often taken to the extreme and well beyond the realms of common sense.

[jaapv]

5 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I always change lenses with the camera facing downwards

Well, this does actually make sense, it prevents stuff  falling into the camera. For the rest - all nonsense indeed.

[wizard]

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Have a look at how the rangefinder mechanism works. You will then understand that it is simply impossible that changing lenses will have the rangefinder go out of alignment. If that were true (the rangefinder going out of alignment when changing lenses frequently, that is), then focussing a lens with the lens mounted to the camera would also potentially throw the rangefinder out of alignment. So yes, it is pure rubbish.

[a.noctilux]

Fascinating mechanism invented (and offored to customers) by Leitz in the 1930's with Leica II.

The coupling roller which turns when focussing or changing lens is as tough as can be such delicate mechanism.

 

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same device on digital Leica M, incredible longevity

[lct]

Hitting the roller cam with protruding lenses might have such an effect i guess but it never happened to me.

[earleygallery]

It's best to send the camera back to Leica with the lens you want changing and let them do it.

(may not be genuine advice).

[250swb]

6 hours ago, jaapv said:

Well, this does actually make sense, it prevents stuff  falling into the camera. For the rest - all nonsense indeed.

I can see your point, changing lenses stood upright scanning the horizon for photo opportunities and it's a one handed job, but dangerously leaving the other hand free to eat a sandwich or a flaky French pastry, and it's a right bugger trying to get a glace cherry out of your camera, nobody's invented a cleaning kit for that.

 

 

[darylgo]

Unfortunately a misaligned rangefinder stays misaligned no matter how many lens changes.  

[adan]

1) I recall a fetish at one point for setting M lenses to closest focus (lens and cam as far from the body as possible) when changing lenses on Ms. Theoretically to push on the camera roller as little as possible if one is fumble-fingered in getting the lens to fit into the mount.

2) Rock photographer Jim Marshall supposedly said that once he found a given lens and camera that focused perfectly together, he never removed that lens from that body again. Which resulted in him carrying 4-5 cameras to use 4-5 lenses.

But that (if real) probably had more to do with matching lens and camera mechanical tolerances from the factory (which are very small, but not zero), rather than drift due to taking them off and putting them on.

I do in fact test each specific lens I'm considering buying (especially 50mm+, and/or f/2.0 or faster, or very old lenses) to be sure that specific unit focuses well on my specific bodies. But I don't worry about that drifting later due to tactical swapping of lenses.

3) If you really want something to worry about (as we reach the end of a hot summer - or are about to begin one in the Southern Hemisphere) - what is the effect of thermal expansion and contraction on the precision geometry of all those moving metal helices, cams, and levers?

[pippy]

52 minutes ago, adan said:

3) If you really want something to worry about (as we reach the end of a hot summer - or are about to begin one in the Southern Hemisphere) - what is the effect of thermal expansion and contraction on the precision geometry of all those moving metal helices, cams, and levers?

Time for some form of appropriately-designed 'Bi-Metallic Strip' somewhere in the linkages?...

Philip.

[Want-a-leica]

Seems like a consensus!

 

Thanks all.

[ianman]

On 9/1/2021 at 5:48 PM, 250swb said:

I can see your point, changing lenses stood upright scanning the horizon for photo opportunities and it's a one handed job, but dangerously leaving the other hand free to eat a sandwich or a flaky French pastry, and it's a right bugger trying to get a glace cherry out of your camera, nobody's invented a cleaning kit for that.

Nah, a Dyson will do it. It got some vanilla ice cream and half a flake out of my MP. Worked fine but I had to buy another flake.